Exec run-out bargains

There’s still little truck if you want to negotiate more than a free set of floor mats on a new BMW 5-series or Mercedes E-Class. But going for a more esoteric exec right now can pay serious dividends. With a new facelifted S-type just launched at this week’s Detroit Motor Show, Jaguar dealers are currently showing plenty of largesse with the outgoing model. Even moderate haggling should enable you to get at least two grand off the list price of a £30,700 3.0 Sport, with the possibility of plenty more if you find a dealer with a car in stock – pretty likely at the moment. Jaguar itself is sweetening any deals on the 2.5 SE Plus with a special offer on options. Buy one before the end of the month and you can pick up £3000-worth of options (reverse sensor, rain-sensing wipers, 17-inch alloys and CD changer) for £750. All Jaguar deals pale into insignificance compared to the bargains currently available on the outgoing Alfa 166, though. This unloved exec has been a bargain for a while and dealers are being especially generous on any models in stock. Pick of the deals we learned about was a 2.0 TS Turismo on offer for £15,180, a whopping £5640 below the list price. And if you fancy a Saab 9-5 it doesn’t mean bad tidings for your wallet, either. According to sister magazine What Car?’s target price check, discounts of 10 per cent are now routinely available on the Swedish saloon. That takes the transaction price for a 2.3 Aero Hot down to £24,681.